People travel by aircraft to see the sites or attend events. Travel for Aircraft is about travel for aircraft to see them in their various locations — be they museums, static displays, airfield ramps or languishing in fields.

Northrop YC-125 Raider walkaround

I recall being amazed when I saw the Raider. I was unaware of its existence and was happy to see another older design from the 1930s — it was a taildragging trimotor but has a modern look, so I guessed a 1930s vintage.

And I was wrong!

The design is from the 1950s — decades after the designs of Fokker, Stinson and Ford. Paradoxically, the Raider is a product of Northrop — designer of the sleek and modern like the Gamma, Black Widow and Flying Wing. So, after the pleasant surprise came the question of why.

Why the Northrop YC-125 Raider?

As it turns out, Northrop simply thought there was a market for a rough field cargo transport aircraft. But the economics of the time were not supportive with so many surplus C-47 and C-46 aircraft to be had at bargain prices so shortly after the end of WW II. The military gave it a try but helicopter transport potential soon overshadowed what the Raider could do — so the small number of airframes built either finished their careers in South American airlines or at maintenance training facilities.

Not that the Raider didn’t have its positive aspects. Three engines and conventional gear make for a rugged cargo aircraft working from unimproved airstrips with reserve power if the load is not great. Indeed, there is an image of a Raider on a JATO-assisted takeoff.

Also of note are design details like:

Steps built into the left side for access to the left side cockpit door

Ramp in the back though conventionally geared — not unique but highly unusual

A cockpit access door on both sides — again, not unique but highly unusual